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UNF wins shortened Hayt Collegiate Invitational

Bruce.Lipsky@jacksonville.com Trevor Stanton (from left), John Vrim and Jim Delaney stand under the wind-whipped flags of the tournament's participating colleges on Tuesday at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Bruce.Lipsky@jacksonville.com Ole Miss' Tom Brown begins to pack up when the last round was canceled Tuesday. UNF's golf team won the rain-shortened Hayt Collegiate Invitational.

The University of North Florida golf team was missing its sixth man at the Sawgrass Country Club this week.

But the Ospreys kept the Hayt Collegiate Invitational winner’s trophy home in honor of UNF booster John Hayt, the tournament’s namesake and a long-time financial donor to the university’s golf program. Hayt is battling cancer and was unable to come to any of the competitive rounds.

“It was strange not to see [Hayt] here,” said individual medalist and UNF senior Kevin Phelan, after the third round was canceled on Tuesday because of heavy rain that left the course unplayable. “He’s our biggest supporter and I don’t remember many tournaments he hasn’t gotten to. He’s always pulling for us and we’re very appreciative. We’re happy to win this for him.”

The scores were reverted to their 36-hole totals, leaving UNF with a 12-shot victory over Duke at 17-under-par 559. It’s the second time in four years the Ospreys have won their own event but only the third time in its 22-year history.

The Ospreys have finished among the top five in five of their last eight tournaments, dating back the fall season.

Phelan won his first college individual title at 13-under-par 131, a tournament record for 36 holes. Teammate Sean Dale was the runner-up at 9-under.

At the time the players were brought off the course around 10:30 a.m., UNF was 5-over as a team for the day, with its players completing either four or five holes. But Duke was doing little to cut into the lead, and was 2-over, still leaving the Ospreys with a nine-shot lead.

It was the first time the Hayt Invitational was shortened to 36 holes, a minor miracle considering the fickle First Coast weather this time of year.

“We’ve been fortunate through the years and if we’ve had rain, it came in and out very quickly,” said UNF coach Scott Schroeder. “This is the first time where it just set in for days at a time. Our guys did very well given the conditions.”

Phelan seemed relieved that he has finally kicked in a victory after 18 top-10 finishes in three years.

“I’ve been knocking on the door for awhile,” he said.

When it was over, emotions ran deep. Schroeder could barely speak at the awards ceremony and after several attempts, said only, “This one’s for John.”

Later, Schroeder said Hayt, who also donated money to begin the construction on UNF’s Hayt Learning Center, has provided more than just financial support.

“He’s been our biggest fan,” Schroeder said. “That’s what makes this victory that much more special.”